Grot-spotters get to work on cleaning up their district

OLDHAM Youth Council members have joined forces with senior staff to help make Failsworth a cleaner place to live.

A group of environmentally-conscious youngsters teamed up with Street Scene and parks departments to carry out grot-spot clean-ups.

They learned how to report issues like litter, graffiti, fly-tipping and potholes directly to the council using the new “Tidy Oldham” application on smart phones.

They also removed graffiti on playground equipment at Failsworth Higher Memorial Park and made arrangements with the council to remove large- scale graffiti with industrial cleaning tools.

Councillor Jean Stretton, Cabinet member for neighbourhoods, said: “I am very grateful to the youth council members for all their hard work.

“Despite the perception some people may have, young people really do care about their environment.

“This shows that many will also volunteer their own time to clean up problem areas.

“Council staff can’t be everywhere at all times — we very much rely on the public to assist by reporting these issues to us so that we can take action and get their area looking clean and tidy again.

“Environmental issues like graffiti, fly-tipping and dropped litter can make an area quickly look untidy and uncared for, so it is heartening to see local residents — especially young people — joining our work to clear it up.

“Helping us to do our job better like this is a key part of how residents can play their part in our vision to make Oldham a co-operative council.”

Anyone who spots graffiti, fly-tipping or has any other environmental issues they would like to report, they should call Oldham Council on 0161-770 6644.

Alternatively, email contact@oldham.gov.uk.